Hama Time!: Set-top Box Slaps Android On TV

I’m not familiar with this company, and yet I admire them anyway for doing what Google TV still hasn’t: Putting Android on TVs.

Just hook up the Hama Set-top box via HDMI to your boob tube, connect it to your router or Wi-Fi network, and then blammo — you’ve got Android 2.2 right on your television. It would’ve possibly been more intriguing if Hama went with Honeycomb instead, but I guess beggars can’t be choosers. So bear in mind, this implementation is more like a big Android smartphone — except viewable by you and your whole family.

Hama comes with some built-in widgets and apps, so users can hit the Internet, chat, listen to tunes, zip through pics and even play select Android games. Of course, if you need to work, the package also comes with an office productivity suite, so you can edit on documents and get some work done. (You know, in case you’re the type who gets all misty-eyed over humongous spreadsheets.) Of course, you could just install apps from the Android Market instead. And if you need to transmit data from your phone to the box, it can accept transmissions via Bluetooth.

Hardware-wise, the box has a Samsung Cortex A8 1 GHz processor and 2GB of built-in memory, which is expandable via SDHC card, USB with a memory stick or an external HDD. It also comes with a remote control featuring motion control, similar to some gaming consoles.

But there’s one wrinkle — the only place it seems to be for sale presently is directly from the German maker. So is it worth the hassle to get your hands on this? Check out the vid below to find out.

If you ever wanted to see what Android looks like on a huge screen (that isn’t a concept model, but a real product), this is one way to accomplish that. But the Hama box is not alone. There are others interested in the Android TV idea, so it’s probably just a matter of time before a tidal wave of these swarm the scene. (More below.)

Adriana Lee

Adriana is the resident writer-slash-culture vulture who has written about everything from smartphones, tablets, apps, accessories, and small biz technology to cooking, fashion, pop culture, newsmakers and the arts. She…